Photograph © copyright Fritz Curzon
W11 Opera and Opera Holland Park 2010
This year W11 Opera celebrates the tenth consecutive year in which members of its cast have been invited to perform with Opera Holland Park, ‘the most exciting and adventurous company in the UK’ (Bloomberg). Through the children’s involvement in this prestigious company’s opera season, not only have the young been captivated by the experience that opera has to offer, but so too have many of their family and friends who might not otherwise have taken the plunge. There can hardly be a better way in which to be introduced to these pleasures than by actually being involved in a production and the enthusiasm with which they embrace the experience speaks for itself.
Last year 15 young boys and girls delighted audiences as scruffy Parisian urchins in Puccini’s La bohème. Words and music had to be learnt and holidays fitted in around an extended run that went from June to August. All involved fell in love with this witty and passionate piece and so successful were the young that they were asked to reprise their role for another opera company looking for Parisian urchins. Their final accolade was to be asked to perform in front of the Mayor and Council of Kensington and Chelsea in January where they were much applauded.
This summer members of W11 Opera will be seen performing in Bizet’s Carmen, the very first opera in which W11 members were invited to perform ten years ago. In 2001 a critic noted that ‘There was an irresistibly bumptious children’s chorus in the first and last acts that practically stole the show.’ We are sure that this year’s production will be similarly irresistible and we look forward to inspiring another group of young singers as they join with the professionals on stage at Holland Park this summer.
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What the W11 cast and family think
Doing the performance was really fun because it was a professional opera and the sets were amazing. First of all I thought this is going to be so hard, but once I met the people, it was so fun to do.
Maya Daniels
It's what happens backstage that really makes the experience what it is. There is everything from football to a good gossip and that's just the adult chorus!... By the end of it, in fact even by the second performance, the men have joined in the football matches and the ladies have made us chocolate brownies!
Gabriel Harris
It was an incredible experience. I’d recommend anyone to do it if they had the opportunity.
Leo Faulks
I can remember singing in Italian with all the famous actors and actresses... Although we were not on most of the time, we were still very excited. Arid when the moment came, it was almost too good to be true.
Lydia Warner
At the first rehearsal I remember jumping to the sound of the loud strong singing of the chorus!... It was easy playing the part of scruffy children running around since it was sort of like my own character!
Amelie Johansson
This year I was invited to join the stage management team at Opera Holland Park. During rehearsals for La Boheme a panic arose when it was discovered that director Jamie Hayes’ request for a dead body had not been catered for. Being multi-talented I found myself at the beginning of Act Two lying on stage under a blanket, wearing size 10 army boots and trying not to laugh while being teased by the 'policemen'. My acting abilities obviously shone through however when siblings of a cast member; debating whether the 'body' was real, concluded it was not as ‘it wasn't breathing’!
Alanna Harris
It has been such a privilege for Leo to take part in the Holland Park Opera. The experience is one he won't forget and which he can build on when auditioning for parts at his new school. It gives him tremendous confidence and boosts his self-esteem no end but more importantly has taught him what hard work it is to be a professional actor/singer.
Catherine Faulks (mother to Leo as Fleance in Verdi's Macbeth, June 2005)
Performing at Opera Holland Park